Anyone Found It Difficult To Stop Taking Painkillers?

[RabbitsRock]

As DD16 pointed out recently with a maturity beyond her years, I seem to have replaced one addiction with another (quit drinking over a year ago but am taking codeine based painkillers daily & have been for some time). They’re over the counter so not particularly strong but I take 2 paracetamol & codeine plus 2 ibuprofen & codeine a few times a day. I do get pain in my neck & upper back but it’s intermittent & I don’t need to take the tablets anywhere near as often as I do. Works out quite expensive too, especially if you add postage for when I buy some online & petrol to drive to different chemists. Now I’m writing this down, it does look bad 😢 I have to admit to liking the feeling codeine gives you, especially on an empty stomach,but of course I shouldn’t be taking the ibuprofen without food.
I wonder if any of you have struggled with codeine? Before the otc stuff, I had pure codeine from my GP & later Zapain which have quite a high codeine content. DH used to say that it was shocking how the surgery didn’t review my medication & I was allowed to stay on the codeine for ages.

Are you driving to different chemists so you can buy them without the first chemist knowing you've already had some? If you know your doing that is likely you have a problem and a chat to either your gp or pharmacist may be helpful. It does sound like you're taking too many.

First, well done on kicking the alcohol! 👏 And on raising such a mature 16 year old! That was observant of her.

As for the codeine, yes! I also quit drinking but sort of 'replaced' it with a daily maintenance dose of codeine similar to yours... and it can be surprisingly hard to quit even that small amount, I found - most people online seem to chug boxes of it, so I can understand them struggling through withdrawal... but I keep getting drawn back in because I get disturbed guts and insomnia and a low mood, low energy thing which I guess is me missing the dopamine buzz. Anything painful flares up too, as if trying to convince me to dose again...

All I can say is, stick with it - it takes a good few weeks until you start to feel normal - in the meantime, take normal OTC painkillers if needed, get as much sleep, exercise and good food as you can, and do lots of nice little distracting things. Probably the same tools you used in quitting the booze! I'd also say to taper slowly if you can manage it, it's a bit kinder to the system - could never do that with alcohol... 😄

It does seem that there are a lot of people quietly addicted to codeine. But it's lovely to not worry about always having your stash, and being questioned and given side-eye by pharmacists, and not having to take something to feel normal in the mornings.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

I think you know the answer, if you need to drive to different chemists.

You do need to guidance to withdraw though. I’m on a high dose of codeine currently, following surgery. Last week I (stupidly) didn’t take any, in order to assess the pain and experienced full blown withdrawal. It wasn’t fun or pretty.

Why are you driving to different chemists? Have they refused to sell you more? My brother in law tries this and he has a serious painkiller addiction. We realised a lot of his money was going on taxi fares to visit different chemists. We went out for lunch one day and he was more excited by the fact we were near a new chemist he hadn’t visited before.
It sounds like you may have a problem. Speak to your GP who should be able to help you get support weaning off them.

I'm sorry but yes you clearly have a problem. I've just come out of gyne surgery and will take nothing more than paracetamol and only for 24hrs then will just deal with any pain. I was thrown from a horse 2yrs ago and tore all the ligaments in my shoulder and took paracetamol for 4 days which is an eternity for me. I defo think you need to see an addiction specialist.

I fucking hate codeine but do take paracetamol and codeine painkillers quite a lot as they do actually help my pain.

I hate how it makes me feel.

Yes, if you are taking ibuprofen on a regular basis you should take it with food as otherwise it can really piss your stomach off.

If you have neck and back pain it's worth seeing a physio as they may be able to help you with what is causing it/give exercises that keeps it away.

My mum had a codeine addiction, at first she was quite functional on it but over the years it took a noticeable toll. She spent a lot of time alone in bed (sleeping? not sure) whenever possible, she refused to get involved in family activities and did the bare minimum, didn't want to ever parent or do anything, couldn't hold down a job and wasn't interested in having one, was obsessed with thinking about where and when she could get the pills and keeping it secret. She had not been in pain for many years but claimed she was to get tablets.

I really wish there was more of a handle on these things because it would be so easy to prevent it happening in the first place.

I have been on Zapain (prescription codeine) from the doctor for years after the chemist was unhappy with me buying the over counter weaker codeine stuff. Amazed that the GP has never reviewed the Zapain medication other than adding weekly prescription pain patches to the mix.

I am allowed to take up to 8 Zapain per day but try to limit it to 3 because of the side effects with other drugs.

What I found interesting is that when it was icy (so I was not walking as I could not leave the house) I reduced the drugs down without thinking about it so I was only on 1 a day. Other days I am counting the minutes to my first dose but I set the phone to ensure I am not tempted to take it early.

I hope that gives some hope to those trying to get off it or reduce down. Really don't think it helps that where I am it takes 4 to 6 weeks to get a doctors appointment and because you have gone with one issue there is no attempt to conduct a medication review despite it being years out of date.....

You appear to have an opiate addiction, replacing alcohol with otc medication is not uncommon. The feelings it gives you is no different to the reasons why some use heroin (opiate) and why the addiction is strong enough to seek it out by going to different pharmacies.
if you are buying online is it from recognised pharmacies?
You will need specialist support to wean yourself off, either via the GP or Drug and Alcohol services. You could go cold turkey which will be unpleasant and painful but wont kill you, however you will be more likely to relapse.
Good luck, you have beaten alcohol so you know you can do it

Well done on sharing your story here.
Once you start going to different chemists then you’ve got an issue.
The OTC at least aren’t as strong as the precision ones but you have at the very least a dependency. And you are right about the ibuprofen on an empty stomach.
I did a pain management course a decade ago and the thing that stuck with me is that stronger pain meds should be for acute pain only, so that they work. Taken regularly, they are less effective. They are there to do a job, not to give you a daily buzz.
Most people in your shoes won’t even acknowledge they have an issue, so knowing you have and sharing your story here is major.
Go and see your GP and tell them. They will not be shocked.
You have already quit alcohol which is a huge achievement. You know it can be done.
Of course giving up any kind of drug is tough, and opioids are a tough one, but you have insight and awareness. Your family sound great and well done to your DD.
I never ever thought I would be free of my addiction to a prescription drug. Never. Nine years clean soon and I stopped drinking at the same time. Best decision I ever made. Not easy, especially when I hit a bump in the road, but it can be done.
Good luck!